Organized A to Z Blog

Create Your Own Tickler System

January 13, 2010

We’re just 2 weeks into January, so it’s not too late to implement a new system to organize paperwork, bills, invitations, appointments, and other important items. I suggest creating your own tickler system, and we have several products that might help you.

A Tickler System helps you manage your “active papers”. Anything that comes in from school, work or the mail that needs action should be filed in your Tickler System. Each day, you can pull the items from your daily folder and instantly know what needs to get done today! It’s a great way to stay on top of your “To Do” list.

Our recommendation:

Try our Get Things Done Tickler File solution. Documents, notes, and reminders of all sorts can be directly filed in this file set of 43 folders to automatically trigger action and/or review when needed, without loading up daily planners or getting lost in miscellaneous storage. If you want to be reminded to handle something in the future, but don’t want or need to think about it until then, it can be “tickled” to show up exactly on the day or month you’d like to see it again.

Not sure how this might fit into your life? Here are a few ideas:

1. Regular reports and activities, from payroll taxes and performance reviews to computer back ups.
2. Reminder of bill paying on a specific day to maximize your cash flow.
3. Review of “Maybe” actions in catalogs, direct mail or deferred items
4. Follow-ups including delegated actions
5. Tickets of all kinds
6. Travel directions needed for a specific appointment.
7. Warranty expirations, and “Last date to…”
8. Car care, kids events
9. Birthday and anniversary cards to mail

Filed under: Business,Home Management,Organizing Tips,Paper Management,Recommendations,Stress Relief,Time Management